The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is preparing to host its flagship annual event, IFT FIRST: Annual Event and Expo, from July 13-16, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This premier event, widely regarded as a cornerstone of scientific and technological advancement in the food sector, will spotlight the most pressing food safety challenges currently facing the global food industry — including topics such as food additives, GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) determinations, product recalls, and shifts in the regulatory landscape.
In an era of unprecedented scrutiny and rapidly evolving consumer expectations, the IFT FIRST 2025 agenda is designed to help the food industry navigate complexities ranging from ingredient transparency to compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) latest food safety initiatives.
Keynote to Tackle Food Additives and Reformulation Pressures
One of the central sessions of the event is a keynote titled “Food Additives: Reformulation and Regulatory Challenges.” This session will explore the mounting pressure on food and beverage manufacturers to reformulate products in line with consumer demand for clean-label offerings and natural alternatives to synthetic additives such as artificial colors, preservatives, and stabilizers.
The keynote will feature five distinguished experts spanning the legal, regulatory, technical, and consumer advocacy sectors. These panelists will present a multifaceted view of the industry’s shift away from artificial ingredients, covering the challenges companies face when attempting to reformulate existing products. Key issues such as the technical feasibility of substitutions, cost implications, regulatory approvals, and scalability concerns will be discussed in detail.
“Companies are under immense pressure to respond to consumer demand for ‘natural’ products while still delivering the functionality and shelf life that synthetic additives provide,” said one of the scheduled panelists. “This session will provide invaluable insights for R&D professionals, regulatory compliance officers, and product development teams.”
GRAS, FDA Modernization, and Global Regulations Take Center Stage
Beyond food additives, IFT FIRST 2025 will offer a series of sessions focusing on GRAS determinations and the challenges that come with introducing novel food ingredients. As new proteins, alternative sweeteners, and functional ingredients continue to emerge, ensuring their safety through transparent scientific review and regulatory compliance is more crucial than ever.
Another major area of focus will be the FDA’s “New Era of Smarter Food Safety,” which emphasizes tech-enabled traceability, predictive analytics, and a more collaborative approach to food safety. Sessions will unpack how companies can leverage these strategies to reduce foodborne illness, minimize recalls, and maintain consumer trust.
Additionally, several panels will examine how international regulatory frameworks are influencing food innovation and import-export dynamics. These sessions aim to provide a global context for food safety, particularly as companies seek to scale their products beyond domestic markets.
Scientific Panels to Address Emerging Food Safety Risks and Solutions
In addition to policy and regulatory discussions, scientific panels will delve into emerging risks in food safety and explore the technologies poised to mitigate them. Topics include:
- The role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in predictive food safety modeling.
- The ongoing challenge of food recalls and how companies can improve crisis response strategies.
- Public health implications of microbial contamination in raw and minimally processed foods.
- Cross-contamination risks in increasingly complex supply chains.
These sessions will also explore consumer confidence in food safety, with data-driven insights into how transparency, traceability, and education influence public trust.
Pre-Event Workshop on Next-Generation Food Safety Strategies
Ahead of the main event, IFT’s Food Microbiology Division will host a two-day workshop titled “NextGen Food Safety: Bridging Farm to Table with Smart Tech Solutions” on July 12-13, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT. This pre-event program is tailored to agricultural and food industry professionals and will provide deep dives into best practices and regulatory compliance.
The workshop will cover foundational food safety principles including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Attendees will also explore how smart technologies—ranging from sensor networks to blockchain—can strengthen food safety from production through to distribution.
CEO Emphasizes Importance of Proactive Collaboration
“Consumer expectations around food safety, transparency, and ingredient integrity are evolving, and the food system must rise to meet that demand,” said Christie Tarantino-Dean, CEO of IFT. “At IFT FIRST, we bring together experts from academia, industry, and government to tackle complex challenges head-on. Our goal is to not just keep pace with change but to lead the conversation and foster innovation.”
A Showcase of Food Innovation and Safety Technologies
Complementing the robust educational programming is the event’s dynamic expo floor, where attendees will experience the latest breakthroughs in food science and technology. This year’s expo promises to feature innovations from leading food safety, health, and wellness companies from around the globe.
Notable among these innovations is Sensient’s butterfly pea flower extract, recently approved by the FDA as one of three new natural food dyes. Touted as the industry’s first plant-derived source of natural blue coloring, this ingredient exemplifies the move toward cleaner labels without compromising visual appeal.
Other exhibitors include Datacor, a leading provider of enterprise software solutions designed for food and beverage manufacturers. Datacor’s technologies offer real-time production monitoring, integrated quality control systems, batch traceability, and audit-ready documentation, helping companies uphold the highest standards of food safety and compliance.
These tools are increasingly critical for manufacturers seeking to implement proactive risk management systems that align with modern regulatory expectations and consumer trust-building initiatives.
Driving the Future of Food Safety
IFT FIRST 2025 promises to be more than just a conference—it’s a strategic platform for food professionals to gain actionable insights, build collaborations, and explore the innovations shaping the future of the global food system. With a strong emphasis on food safety, regulatory adaptation, and consumer-driven innovation, the event will help attendees remain competitive and compliant in an increasingly complex food landscape.
Whether you are a scientist, manufacturer, policymaker, or entrepreneur, IFT FIRST offers the tools, connections, and knowledge needed to address the food safety challenges of today while preparing for the breakthroughs of tomorrow.
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